Korea's Chief Trade Negotiator Yeo Han-goo Dismissed Amid U.S. Tariff Talks

by JUNG YEON WOO Posted : August 15, 2026, 10:08Updated : August 15, 2026, 10:08

Yeo Han-goo, the Chief Trade Negotiator of the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, has been dismissed.


A ministry official confirmed on the 15th, "Yeo has been removed from his position."


Yeo previously served as the Director of Trade Policy during the Moon Jae-in administration and was reappointed as Chief Trade Negotiator with the inauguration of the Lee Jae-myung government.


He has been overseeing negotiations with the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) regarding non-tariff barriers, including agricultural products.


However, the government has not disclosed the reasons for Yeo's dismissal.


A ministry official stated, "We have no further comments to provide."





* This article has been translated by AI.